Rating: Summary: Great...but there is a glitch... Review: It should be noted that while everything thing on the DVD worked perfectly, one glitch during The Everlasting Gaze showed up on two of my DVD players. Basically a couple minutes into the video, it would switch automatically back and forth between the video and backstage footage...Kinda neat, but obviously a manufacturing defect.
Rating: Summary: a rose with just a couple of thorns Review: It's hard to imagine that a band like the Smashing Pumpkins would break-up without one of these retrospective promo video collections. Normally, I view these kinds of releases as quick cash-ins, and I'm only part right this time. The visual quality of each promo tends to vary (the lowest point being Today, which looks incredibly grainy) but is still better quality than any VHS release. The menus can be a little annoying as you have to select which video and audio track you want to watch. And you know what? I really don't care. Nearly every moment I spent watching this was a trip down memory lane. This DVD is a gripping reminder of why the Smashing Pumpkins were a great rock band. Not only did they play unique, original music that evolved beautifully over the years, but they are interesting visually as a band and as people themselves. Watching the 20 music videos on this disc, I remembered a time when music videos were more artistically interesting. The Pumpkins almost always tried to reach beyond the straight performance video. And whether their ambitious ideas and concepts suceeded or not, it was always far more interesting than most of the promos I've seen in recent years. You'll find it hard not to smile during the commentaries that accompany the videos. The band members and directors share funny stories about the filming of each promo and sometimes speak with a tinge of embarassment or regret in their voices, which is refreshing. Plus, the extras are fascinating. We get a hilarious live performance of Geek U.S.A. that features 50 clowns dancing on stage and a brief taste of the final concert that leaves you hungry for more. The disc may be only enjoyable to fans of The Smashing Pumpkins, but what a DVD to own if you are one! It's not perfect, but why only complain about thorns when you've been handed a rose?
Rating: Summary: By no means complete Review: Although I don't own this dvd, (and never will, more on that in a moment) I feel qualified to review it as I have seen virtually every single video on it, with the exception of the previously unreleased material. I have read on numerous web sites reviews extolling this dvd, and one of the quotes that kept coming up was "Every single video!" Excuse me, no. Where the hell is "The End is the Beginning is the End"? Now, I have read that that song and video is generally considered a black mark of shame on an otherwise stellar career. And perhaps that's why it's missing in action. I highly disagree. I found the video highly visually stimulating, and the song rocks out. And it's not here. Nowhere to be found, as if it never exsisted. Call me a nit picker, but I am fed up with so called "complete" and "comprehensive" video compilations that leave out, for whatever reason, one or two or more of my favorite videos. The Beastie Boys Criterion collection dvd does not include "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" or "Fight for Your Right", their breakthrough song and video. Madonna's video collection (the second one) does not include "Erotica", and while it includes the video for "Take a Bow", it's mysteriously missing the sequel, "You'll See." And now this. If I come across this collection in my local video store I may give it a rent, but, like the other customer had to say, after one viewing it's going back on the shelf. But in my case it won't be my shelf it's being returned to.
Rating: Summary: I'm excited for this! Review: But can someome please list all the videos on the DVD? Thank you!
Rating: Summary: Decent video collection, but lacks extra material Review: This is a pretty good video collection, but if you're like me and you were expecting extra material, you'll be disappointed. From the various fansites that I've visited recently, I got the impression that this DVD would have more features, like a documentary, behind-the-scenes stuff, more live tracks, and so on. In my opinion, the DVD was put together in a hurry and not much thought was given to adding bonus material geared toward long-time fans such as myself. Obviously, it's great to have all of the videos in chronological order and on one disc, but after one viewing this DVD will be going back on the shelf! Personally, I got more enjoyment out of U2's "Elevation Tour 2001: Live from Boston" DVD. It's got a couple hours worth of concert footage and extras like a making-of feature, multiple camera angles, bonus tracks, etc. The bottom line: diehard fans will buy this to complete their collections, but others might get bored with it.
Rating: Summary: Fun and Insightful Review: The genius that was, and is, and always will be, of the Smashing Pumpkins is completely evident throughout this chronicle of sorts. The videos, live performances, commentary's, short film, outtakes are all powerful and when played in succession are amazingly powerful. I regard Billy Corgan as the premier artist alive today, with an undeniable zest for creating. The early videos from Gish are interesting (not only b/c of Billy's hair), but because of the darkness, low budget and seeming naivity the band portrays. In stark contrast, the creative process capitualizes itself when the Mellon Collie videos are shown. 1979, Tonight Tonight, Zero and 33 show the hand Billy plays in creating the artistic statement of the band. I had not seen many of the late videos before, and of course had not seen the live performances here. All were nothing short of producing pure joy. The commentary's along with every video are sublime, interesting, incredibly insightful and most of the time funny as hell. I love Billy's story about the old ice cream man that inspired the Today video. For me one of the biggest highlights is the short film "TRY," which uses Machina's greatest song Try, Try, Try as a nucleus and produces a gut wrenching, captivating film about two junkies and the love they have for one another. Mostly it's about trying to hold on...to anything you have...to a future. I'm holding on to the future Corgan has in store for us, his loyal and unwavering fans. This collection is unbelievable...so good that if you dont have a DVD player yet, go get one so you can enjoy the benefits it offers.
Rating: Summary: I CANT TAKE IT!!! Review: OKay im also going write a review b4 i even watch the DVD because I REALLY THINK THE DISC's GOin TO BE GREAT!! Imean Im sicka nd tired of having to watch the videos on real playER.. somputer crashes and all.. man Plus Gish videos.. god... I MEAN with such artistic creativity... All they released WAS veuphoria!??!!?!? THE DVD's GOin TO BE FANTASTIC!! I CANT WAIT TO WAtch 1979 and perfect back to back.. Tonigh tonigh in glorious DVD color And SOund.. Cherub ROck with all the Fantastic ColorS!!! WOW.... imagining the DVD in my player is wat;s gettin me thru the exams... GOD BLESS THE PUMPKINS~!!!
Rating: Summary: No explanation required but I will still give praise Review: MTV used to be a station that you could watch by changing the channel every 15 minutes instead of every 5 minutes because of music videos by bands like the Smashing Pumpkins. I know I am rating the DVD before it is released but sometimes you know when a winner is on the way. Nirvana was the most influential band of the 90's and the Pumpkins are obviously the best on artistic terms. Billy Corgan is a man of utter genius, if you read any of his lyrics you will come to terms that he is one of the best song writers ever. The way the music videos beautifully and almost perfectly fit the lyrics and music everytime startles me. These videos range from expressing topics from despair, anger, love, and happiness; His heartfelt lyrics and deep insight of life have musically blessed me like no other band. Tonight, Tonight is majestic, deserving the coveted music video of the year award from MTV. 1979 is hard to desribe in words, it is the only video that I can say I want to actually jump inside and be a part of. Today is good enough just for the song and Stand Inside Your Love is highly, highly underated. MTV labeled it as one of the worst videos ever, it shows how bad their taste has become. Cough . . . Cough 'Nsync. Excuse me, anyway if you are any fan of the Pumpkins or of music videos in general, buy this DVD, preorder it now. Heck, buy tons of them and give them to your friends and family for Christmas. I already have most of their videos in MPEG files but I'm gonna buy it for the extras. Trust me, this is tasteful, wonderful, meaningful art that many people have overlooked or forgotten since the mid 90's. If I help sell one of these DVD's and share the music and videos with one other person, I will be happy. Take into consideration that Corgan wants praise for his writing, not money. He released his last album strictly over the internet so people could listen to it. Their label is trying to milk the last drop out of the band but needless to say, it's working on me. The music scene today is wretched. Why do people go and by CD's from say Britney Spears who is a tool used by the record company. She is created to sell records targeted at a specific audience. Why would you waste the great gift of music and buy CD's that some old men are concocting to make money from. They put a pretty face to their music and the idiotic hordes fall like lemmings into the sea for it. The Smashing Pumpkins did not need and image to make their music successful unlike the bands today. They made videos that created images for their music instead of themselves. Music is wonderful, go out and find the music that you can listen to that fills your heart and changes your life. Music that you can listen to day after day like I do with songs like Today and Mayonaisse. The Smashing Pumpkins are a band about the music, that is why they are the best.
Rating: Summary: All the videos, and then some. Review: What can I say? We all know the Pumpkins' music rocks, and they have put out some of the most amazing videos ever! Here they have included all their videos that aired on MTV, including rare ones that haven't been played much since the early nineties, like Siva and Rhinoceros, and the much-played Tonight Tonight, 1979 and Bullet With Butterfly Wings. Also interesting are rare-er videos like I Am One and F*ck You live, and commentaries on some of them. This is a really good way to see how SP has evolved over the years, and a really convenient collection if you're tired of watching them over Quicktime or something...
Rating: Summary: The best videos in the world Review: I don't have to say anything about the Pumpkins music, we all know how brilliant an wnderful it is. But their videos are something we have to see to believe how fantastic they are. All their videos are wonderful, The ones from the Mellon Collie era are incredible ( tonight, tonight; 1979; Zero, Bullet ). The Machina videos are also fantastic, Stand Inside Your Love is their best video since Tonignt, Tonight The Gish videos are somewhat rare and so is The Cherub Rock Video. Disarm is a wondeful video and it's hilarious when James appears in drag on the Today video. I can't wait for the documentaries and the live performance on the DVD. This is a must for any video lover, not only for the Smashing Pumpkins fans. Trust me, you'll be amazed....
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